Irving Streetscape Improvement Project To Break Ground Next Week

Irving Streetscape Improvement Project To Break Ground Next WeekPhoto: Andrew Dudley / Hoodline
Fiona Lee
Published on February 16, 2016

Get ready for major changes on Irving Street, as the Irving Streetscape Improvements Project begins its transformation of the corridor on February 22nd.

As we reported way back in December 2014, the project’s goals are to improve walkability and transit in the corridor. Changes include replacing sidewalks on both sides of Irving from 19th to 27th avenues, adding pedestrian bulb-outs and new seating areas, planting palm trees along the corridor, putting in LED streetlights, and placing decorative gateway markers along the strip. Irving Street from 19th Avenue to Great Highway would also see sewer upgrades, curb ramps, and repaving.

In total, the project will take a year and a half, with the initial work along 19th to 27th avenues taking place from February to late November of this year. It will all kick off with sewer work, starting on 27th Avenue.


Preliminary renderings of planned changes at Irving & 22nd.

In acknowledgement of local sensibilities, the work will also begin after Chinese New Year, a period that sees many celebrations and kicked off on February 8th.

At January’s Outer Sunset Merchants Association meeting, Mike Rieger, Project Manager for the Department of Public Works’ Irving Streetscape Improvements Project, updated the audience on the project and took questions on upcoming disruptions along the heavily-trafficked commercial corridor.

At the meeting, some merchants expressed concerns with the project, and especially with the temporary loss of sidewalks and parking spaces during construction. During the work, sidewalks would be demolished in 100-foot segments. “How long will it take to work on that one [segment of] sidewalk?” asked one merchant at the meeting.

According to Rieger, contractors will only take half a day to one full day to demolish each sidewalk segment, and contractors are required to build a ramp when tearing up sidewalks to lessen the impact to businesses. “You’re only looking at a week [of construction] directly in front of your business," he said.

  Sidewalks would see a new look under the Irving Streetscape Project. (Photo: SF Public Works)

Despite the disruptions, other merchants were supportive of the changes. “[The project] is going to make the whole area much better, and invite people to come into the neighborhood," said Sam Kaleh, the owner of Lucca Foods at 1899 Irving St. "It'll be good for businesses and make businesses more visible."

Rieger assured local business owners that DPW would minimize the impact of the construction on their businesses. “We want to impact merchants as little as possible,” he said. Nevertheless, businesses and local residents can expect plenty of noise and activity along this stretch of Irving for the foreseeable future. 

For more information, check out the Irving Streetscape Project website at SF Public Works.